JUST bought this 696-1 3 inch .44 spl

[Avery11]

I bought this on a bit of instinct and from what I understand, just in the nick of time - another potential buyer was trying to haggle.

I called up and said "I'll take it" for $675 shipped.

Anything I should know about this neat little L frame?

Owner testimonials?

Not sure how I did on the price as I have not even taken the time to do any real research which is uncharacteristic of me. I've never seen one of these until now and something just told me I'd regret it if I let it pass. Should be a nice little woods gun for the east coast.

The owner said it is from an estate. The late owner rarely shot his guns and I'm told this one is like new.

Here is the dealer photo:

 

[TAROMAN]

A great catch, congratulations, you did well.
An accurate, packable 44 revolver is a treat.
Mine has a very tight, "precise" feel and the action is smooth as butter.
While the purists scorn the MIM parts, I think that they contribute to the gun's smoothness.
Also, bear in mind that this is a 44 Special. Trying to push the envelope and make it into a mini-magnum may not end well.
Here's mine:

 

[NFrameFred]

Good instincts - you did just fine.

 

[Avery11]

JWK,

Thank you for the reply. Though I know very little about the cartritge, I am somehow drawn to unique revolvers and am satisfied by shooting them for what they are. As such, I will heed your advice.

L frame, 5 shot, starts with a 4, 3-inch, and a decent piece of lumber to get started...I just had to pay the price of admission to see this little giant.

I can't wait to see how it recoils. BTW, what is the .44spl best suited to do in life? Would it handle a black bear or a moose? Those are about the only threats I could see running into around here, rare as the chance may be.

 

[Avery11]

A couple more...

 

[NFrameFred]

I can't wait to see how it recoils. BTW, what is the .44spl best suited to do in life? Would it handle a black bear or a moose? Those are about the only threats I could see running into around here, rare as the chance may be.

Recoil is very comfortable with the right grips. The 44 special (and that's good advice about NOT trying to turn it into a magnum) is still a potent cartridge, and falls somewhat along side or slightly above the 45ACP with proper bullets/loads. Great carry gun and though I wouldn't plan on using it on bear or moose except as a last resort, no doubt someone has taken them with the old 44 special, probably 'ol Elmer himself, but likely not in a gun with a 3" tube. He blew up a few guns with his penchant for 'experimentation' and hot-rodding rounds. That's why the 44 mag was developed in the first place. If something is chewing on my leg I'll use a 25 acp if that's all I have, but if I'm going looking for something that big it won't be with a 44 special.

Deer and humanoid size/weight targets, another story - the 44 special is quite adequate.

 

[Avery11]

Thank you Fred. It sounds like I had better stick to my .41 for the woods or find a 4" or shorter .44 magnum.

Is the .44spl a cult chambering only? Is it at all desireable? I'm in no way having remorse, but it sounds like you are saying that the .44spl doesn't really do anything that the other more popular chamberings can't do just as well.

 

[STCM(SW)]

If you don't handload, most ammo put out is about OK for the .44 S&W Spl.
A 240 gr KSWC with 8 - 8.5 gr of Unique will do in just about anything up close.
I prefer 17.5 gr of 2400.

 

[NFrameFred]

Is the .44spl a cult chambering only? Is it at all desireable? I'm in no way having remorse, but it sounds like you are saying that the .44spl doesn't really do anything that the other more popular chamberings can't do just as well.

You could say there is a 'cult' following for the old 44 special, some might disagree but that's semantics. For a lot of folks it's a very desirable cartridge. Yes, there are other more popular calibers that will do the same or better than the 44 special. It does nothing unique or better than most anything comparable. The appeal of the 696 is a gun closer to K frame size that carries a caliber larger than .357 with less recoil. A 44 special N frame is one I don't own; I have 45 Colt, 357, 41, and 44 mag, - just never ran across one for a price I could snag at the moment. I like the weight of the N frame for 357's, but other than that, if I'm going to have a gun that heavy/large it will be a 44 mag instead of the special. Lot's of guys love the model 24, like I said - just never ran across one for the price I was willing to pay. But I truly love my no dash 696. For all the reasons listed and just the quirkiness of it. It carries almost as easy as my 3" 66 but throws a substantial chunk of lead with less recoil. I like big boolits . . . And if five rounds of 44 special won't solve my problem, there's a good chance six might not either.

Bottom line, it's easy to load and find good cast slugs for; you can make it a pussycat or a panther, as long as you don't try to make it a sabretooth . . . .

 

[Rapidray]

Oh yea!

You did real good! I paid $800 for mine. I was happy to pay it!
With Patrick Grashorn grips-full bark!

 

[ladder13]

Avery, you did very well.

 

[CWH44300]

Yes, you did great and the special is a great caliber, congrats

 

[Avery11]

Here's my other 'special; I have not had the chance to shoot it - yet.

S'pose I'm callin you out and turnin this into an Allen Frame-esque info/picture thread. Whatcha got?

 

[LostintheOzone]

I have (2) 696's. The street price is about $800. I think most would opt for a 629 at about the same price and shoot 44 specials to reduce the recoil. The difference is the 696 is more compact being an L and that makes it more desirable to some. I don't shoot mags and I like the compact size better. Until S&W produces the 696 again, which isn't likely, they will continue to escalate in price. They are becoming difficult to find. I buy everyone I see locally if the condition is good and the price is right.

You have a nice one and the price was, shall we say, well below market.

Jim

 

[nipster]

Great carry gun and though I wouldn't plan on using it on bear or moose except as a last resort, no doubt someone has taken them with the old 44 special, probably 'ol Elmer himself, but likely not in a gun with a 3" tube. He blew up a few guns with his penchant for 'experimentation' and hot-rodding rounds. That's why the 44 mag was developed in the first place.

He also did that experimentation on the N frame platform, not that thin L frame barrel.

 

[Dave T]

A 240 gr KSWC with 8 - 8.5 gr of Unique will do in just about anything up close.

Friend, that is an over load by 1/2 to a full grain in every manual I can find. I don't think you should recommend someone shoot anything like that in the 696...or any other 44 Special chambered handgun.

If you want to shoot them in a Magnum that's your business but suggesting someone shoot an over load in their new to them 44 Special, when by his own admission he knows nothing about the cartridge, is really not advisable.

Dave

 

[STCM(SW)]

Friend, that is an over load by 1/2 to a full grain in every manual I can find. I don't think you should recommend someone shoot anything like that in the 696...or any other 44 Special chambered handgun.

If you want to shoot them in a Magnum that's your business but suggesting someone shoot an over load in their new to them 44 Special, when by his own admission he knows nothing about the cartridge, is really not advisable.

Dave

And tell me, have you ever used that load or is just what you belive in a manual you have?
I did say 8 gr of Unique to try first.
A reloading manual is a guide line, not a bible with the 10 commandments.
Were not loading for my S&W 1923 target .44 SPL, but a new revolver with the same cylinder as a .44 magnum, just chambered for .44 SPL.
To say that load is unsafe or a magnum load in such a new revolver is popycock.
Starting load for the .44 magnum is 10 gr of unique with that bullet.

 

[StatesRightist]

Beautiful gun..nice job!! I'm green with envy. lol.

 

[ben1]

Beautiful and a great deal. I am jealous. I have a 29-2 4 inch I bought new many years ago and recently traded for a 686-4 2 1/2 inch that is very impressive. Now,thank you very much , I will be looking for a 696 to split the difference. I didn't even know I needed one until now.

 

[SAFireman]

I didn't know that I needed a 696, but if one presented itself at that price.....I would have a very similar thread going....That was a very good deal on a sharp looking Smith.

I own several 41 mags and considered them to be a 'lost' or 'cult' calibers, right along with the 10mm and 357 Sig. If you reload, you will be just fine...otherwise find a friend who reloads and get him to walk you through it a few times until you feel comfortable.

Good luck with the new toy